Ford Fiesta hatchback (2008-2017) - Interior & comfort

Whatever version of the Ford Fiesta you choose, you'll benefit from the same excellent driving position, which gives a wide range of seat and steering-wheel adjustment, plus excellent visibility.

Ford Fiesta dashboard

Ford has been just as bold with the interior design of the Fiesta as it has with the outside. The sweeping dashboard features a centrally mounted screen and a mobile phone-inspired layout for the infotainment system, while the dials get neat blue needles.

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Quality is okay, too, with slightly flimsy fit and finish, but pleasant soft-touch plastics are used throughout the top half of the cabin. Some of the materials lower down the dashboard look a little cheap and aren't up to the standard set by the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i10.

Equipment

The range starts with the Zetec version, which gets a leather steering wheel and handbrake lever, plus ambient lighting that bathes the interior in a warm red glow at night. There’s also Bluetooth, 15-inch alloy wheels, DAB radio, air-conditioning and a heated windscreen to help de-ice the car quickly.

The ST-Line version looks and feels sportier thanks to a bodykit and firmer suspension, along with interior changes including sports seats. The ST-Line Red and Black Editions come with the 138bhp 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine as standard and make things even racier, with contrasting paint schemes that might be a bit garish for some tastes. They're pricey, too, especially when compared to the super-quick Ford Fiesta ST.

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The lavishly equipped Titanium gets climate control, cruise control and a Sony DAB digital radio. Titanium X adds part-leather trim, heated seats, keyless entry and even a reversing camera.

Options

There are a host of options to choose from, including Ford's SYNC system with an emergency assistance function (standard on Titanium) that automatically calls the emergency services in the event of a collision. Cruise control is an option for the ST-Line, costing £150, while you can add front and rear parking sensors along with folding door mirrors to the Zetec trim for £425. Sat nav is a £400 option across the range.